Surin Province in Northeastern Thailand (Isaan)

Bordering Cambodia, Surin today is well known for its annual Elephant Show. It usually takes place in the third week of November and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is 457 kilometers from Bangkok.

What to see and what to do in Surin?

Basketry Village, Ban Buthom, are located 14 kilometers from the city on the Highway 226 (Surin - Sikhoraphum route). The village produces rattan baskets of various types. Basketry shops line both sides of the road.

Prasat Sikhoraphum is located at Amphoe Sikhoraphum about 35 kilometers from Surin. It is composed of five rang (pagoda) with the principal structure measuring 32 meters high. Beautiful designs are engraved on the columns. It is believed that the site was renovated once during the Ayutthaya Period.

Prasat Hin Chom Phra, a small stone castle in Amphoe Chom Phra about 28 kilometers from Surin town, probably used to be an idol temple built by the Khmer. Today a large Buddha image is enshrined in the front of the structure.

Surin, Elephant Procession (source : Wikipedia)

Prasat Hin Ban Phluang, situated at Amphoe Prasat, is a little over thirty kilometers from Surin proper. Although comparatively small in size, it is very beautiful and was recently renovated.

Surin Elephant Show is held in the third weekend of November. Internationally famous, this annual event brings crowds of visitors to the provincial capital of Surin, where over 100 trained elephants are assembled. Among the spectacular features are wild elephant hunts, tugs of war, demonstrations of log hauling skills and a parade of elephants outfitted for medieval warfare.